First and foremost, our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to share, donate, and support Matt’s recovery fundraiser. Your kindness has truly lifted our spirits during an incredibly difficult chapter of our lives.

Nearly one year ago, Matt began experiencing alarming symptoms from an unknown illness. After weeks of hospital visits, tests, and scans, doctors discovered that he had suffered a severe reaction to an antibiotic, which caused a serious brain infection. He was diagnosed with encephalitis—an extremely dangerous condition that can be fatal in severe cases.

With this diagnosis came a long and complicated treatment plan, one that ultimately led to Matt losing his job. Over the past year, he has faced countless medical appointments, treatments, and medications. Then, just when we hoped he was turning a corner, Matt began experiencing the same frightening symptoms once again.

This time, doctors discovered another serious infection that had become septic. Thankfully, because of his previous medical history, they were able to identify it much faster—but Matt’s journey to healing was far from over.

Just this past week, our family received news we never imagined: Matt has been diagnosed with stage 2 bladder cancer. Doctors believe this diagnosis may help explain the ongoing complications he has endured over the last 14 months.

As you can imagine, this news has weighed heavily on all of us—especially Matt and his parter, my sister, Magnolia. Together, they are doing their very best to care for their two young children while Matt continues fighting to regain his health.

It is our hope that this fundraiser will give Matt and Magnolia the breathing room they need to focus on his treatment and upcoming surgery, without the added worry of bills, housing costs, and basic daily needs.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has already supported Matt. We truly cannot express how much your generosity means to our family.

We kindly ask that you consider donating to Matt’s cancer treatment fund, so he can rest a little easier knowing his family is cared for as he undergoes treatment and learns more about what the road ahead will look like.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Matt’s story. If you’re able to donate, we are deeply grateful. And if you’re unable to, we simply ask that you share this GoFundMe so it can reach as many people as possible.

With love and gratitude,

The Mallinger/Sorensen Family